1. Innovation Vouchers Prof Chris Birch University of Greenwich, London birch.greenwich@gmail.com “BENEFITS is part-funded by the European Union, via the Channel area Inter-Reg IVA programme and ERDF Funds”

2. What is an Innovation Voucher? Why do them? – Economic Benefits – Academic Benefits

3. Demand for the vouchers exceeded supply by a factor of 3 46% of SME had no previous experience of working with a University 56% continue to work with the same or different University in the West Midlands Total net additional economic impacts include 85 jobs created / safeguarded and £5.9 million in GVA A return on investment of £11.89 for each £1 of public sector funding, higher than the national average for science, R & D, innovation interventions of £8.30. Aston University Headline Statistics (2010):

4. Scottish Universities Statistics (2010): 55% of businesses did not have a ‘close relationship' with the higher education sector prior to the Innovation Vouchers Scheme A total of 60% of businesses said they had never participated in a joint project with a HEI before. 87% of businesses found the application process either ‘easy' or ‘very easy'. Of the businesses involved with Interface, 75% found the assistance provided ‘very helpful' and 25% found it ‘helpful'. In general, the application process was regarded as very straightforward - simplicity of the application process and the lack of bureaucracy involved. Several respondents were also impressed by the speed of the decision making process. Perceptions of working with Higher Education - all of the businesses said that the project they were involved with had either met (65%) or exceeded (35%) their expectations.

5. Promise Pedagogy People Promotion Product Price Place projection professional perception packaging portability performance personalise physical resources partnership participation processes (business) processes (academic) Table 3 Marketing Variables for HEIs © C J Birch 2010 differentiation

6. Capacity Commitment Capability Credibility Business University Society Multi-Dimensional Partnerships

7. curious creative clever confident critical Our graduates need to be …

8. imaginative inspired ideas innovative inventive ingenious imaginative They also need to be …

9. Enterprising Experienced Entrepreneurial Engaged Educated EMPLOYABLE Society needs our graduates to be …

10. Thank You